Kitchen Update

Painting my kitchen cabinets has been something I have wanted to do for 5 years now. I would consider it and then just put it out of my mind thinking about how much time and effort it would take. I was also concerned that I wouldn't do it well enough and get stuck half way through.

I enjoy home projects. I have a few that I started and never finished. (Note to self...finish them!) This was different...If I started...I had to finish! I researched and read blogs for the past 3 or so years on how to paint cabinets. I took notes and read, reread, then read again. Finally, around March, I bit the bullet and bought my primer and new paint brushes/rollers.

What I used:

• Zinsser Primer 
• Benjamin Moore 
• Electric Sander  (borrowed)
• Rollers and brushes

Because I am the worst blogger ever...it would figure that I cannot locate by before pictures anywhere. So I found some pictures that contained my ugly brown cabinets. I even hated the counter top SO much!

 

The process was timely. I took all the cabinet doors off and all the hardware of them. I then sanded down all the surfaces (with an electric hand sander and by hand). After sanding, I used a ____ to clean off all the surfaces. 

Finally, then came time to start the primer. It was a lot of trial and error. Generally speaking, you should only need 1 coat of the primer, but I needed two. I found that with only one coat it would mean that i would need more coats of the paint. The picture below is one coat of primer on half of the hanging cabinets. 

After weeks of work! Learning as I went I finally finished and I couldn't be more happy with our results. I feel the kitchen looks brighter and bigger. I am hoping to replace the counter tops soon and add in a subway tile backsplash...but don't plan to do that myself!

Still kicking myself that I can't find my before pictures! Ahhh...someday, somewhere they will show up! :)

Austin is 4!

Well it has been quite a year for our boy. He has matured and become very confident in himself. He LOVES his sister and playing dinos or transformers with daddy (mommy isn't good at those games). He started preschool and learned so much- all his letters & how to write his name, and he made some good friends. He loves church and learning bible stories. We have gone through phases of Paw Patrol, David and Goliath, Joshua and Jericho and Moses. 

Milestones/Stats:

Height:? 

Weight: 35lbs

- size 4t clothes

- gave up naps around 3 1/2 
- eye surgery and tonsilectomy was done in September 2017
- started school Feb 2018 (St. Marks United Methodist PreKindergarten with Ms. Werkheiser and Mrs. Dias)
- climbing, summersaults
- rode bike by himself (early June 2018)
- swim lessons: going under and swimming with a puddle jumper (June 2018 @ the Y)

Likes:
- dinosaurs, transformers, writing letters, playing outside, riding his bike, helping mom cook/bake, swimming, playing with friends, playing with McKenna (most of the time)

Dislikes:

- sitting down to eat a meal
- the dark
- sad movies (he broke down in tears watching The Good Dinosaur...it was the sweetest thing, he was so sad about the Dad)

My sweetest boy...it is a complete joy to be your mom. I love watching you learn and share with me things I never thought I'd know. You are also correcting me all the time and I am so glad to have you around to help. You are like me in many ways but also SO much like your daddy. We could not be prouder of you and who you are. I love your compassion for others, your love for your friends, & your caring personality. I pray that you continue to grow in your love for the Lord and continue to ask all the questions & learn as much as you can. You are the one who made me a mom and I am thankful daily! 

Life Lately

This is the 5 weeks of the year when I have a 2 and 3 year old. It is a crazy, happy chaos that we live in. We are entertained by baby dolls, dinosaurs, play make-up and transformers. Last weekend we went to the Delaware Museum of Natural History. We joined for this past year because the deal was as much as one visit! So, Austins favorite part is the dino bones and McKenna loved the doggies that were visiting for the day. 

A new pretty funny thing McKenna has been doing lately is grabbing her purse, keys and sunglasses whenever she sees her daddy getting ready for work. She says "Daddy, I go" and heads towards the door. It is the sweetest thing and shows just how much she loves her Daddy. 

Daddy and Austin spent some time together and Austin learned how to play a video game. This pleased his daddys heart and I am okay with it because his attention span isn't long enough to care much yet! 

Getting church ready with my kiddos! 

Swim lessons over the past 2 weeks for Austin have been amazing for his confidence. He was afraid to go under and is now a little fish. He turned around yesterday in the middle of lessons and said, "can I get some goggles?" 

Both of my kids are water babies and are loving the pool. 

Mommy got to go out with some friends to see the Phillies play. Even though they lost, we had some great seats and it was a great time. 

We are gearing up for a weekend of celebrating Austin turning 4! We have a count down going and he is so excited for his day. Looking forward to having family and friends over to celebrate our little, big guy! 

20 week update

Well we have made it half way! I am so thankful that this pregnancy in many ways has been so much easier. Maybe, by number 3, you just know what is coming and can mentally prepare better. However, I have had more energy & felt better and that is undeniable.

Baby girl had her ultrasound and has all 10 fingers and 10 toes and everything else is growing perfectly. She was measuring at 11 oz!  We seldom discuss names right now because we are super stuck. Can't really narrow down much and seem to be having the most difficult time naming this sweet little girl. I am feeling lots of movement and kicks all throughout the day.

Lately, life for me has been really good. I had the stomach bug for a few days which was NOT fun at all. Other then that, one day of vomiting from out of nowhere hit me last week and some serious headaches...I am guessing a jump in hormones or baby growth spurt. Either way, they are over and I was able to get to the gym for workouts. I am in a happy place where I have the energy to work out and feel so much better when I do! 
Some things I have been doing differently this time around...I attend a Barre class 1-2x a week and I feel like having time to strengthen my small muscle groups has really helped with less sciatica pain (so far), I also see the chiropractor 1-2x a month right now with plans to go more often as I get bigger, my supplement routine has changed drastically which has helped in every way, shape and form, I use my essential oils more often and take epsom salts baths frequently. I am pretty sure I drank a lot of water in the other pregnancies but this time around I get 80-100oz a day! 

Prego Stats:

How Far Along? 20 weeks 

Size of Baby: Large Banana

Weight Gain: 3lbs 

Maternity Clothes: Yep! Sizes Medium and Large depending on the brand. Still have clothes from my pregnancy with Austin that I love

Stretch marks: Nope. 

Symptoms: Growing belly and endless hunger

Cravings: fresh fruit most days. carbs on others

Gender: GIRL! 

Mood: Happy and excited! 

Nursery: Poor kid will be in our room with us for a bit!  

Movement: She is moving quite a bit lately. 

Sleep: Still sleeping well. Starting to get very vivid dreams that wake me up they are so real. 

Workouts: when kids aren't sick...3-4 times a week

Vitamin routine: my XFactor Plus multivitamin daily, Probiotic at night, Biocleanse during the day and Slim before a meal. I also have a full water bottle of lemon water every morning (either essential oils or fresh lemon). 

Anything making you queasy or sick: nope...yay! 

Best Moment This Week: Seeing our baby girl in her ultrasound & McKenna giving my belly kisses

Looking Forward To: day trips and vacations we have planned for this summer! 

2 years old!

Ahhh, where has the time actually gone! I haven't blogged in forever because I've been so busy and was just trying to live through the first trimester of baby #3. 

So my little girl is 2 today!

She is spunky, funny, always hungry, spirited, strong-willed, happy, athletic and daring. She loves to try to dress herself and will yell a little scream at you when she doesn't want your help. When dropping her brother off at school she always walked outside and said "bye brother" and when we would pick him up she would run to him with arms open for a hug. She LOVES her daddy - when I get her in the morning the first question is always, "mommy, daddy?" She still loves her binky and her caterpillars. She sleeps so well, 11-12 hours at night and 1-2 hour nap during the day. Currently, she loves to play outside, see her neighborhood friends and swing on the swing set. I anticipate a summer living at the pool and praying she doesn't jump into the deep end. 

Her stats:

Height: 35 1/2"

Weight: 32 lbs

Clothes: 2T-3T

Shoes: Toddler 8

Words: mama, daddy, doggy, kiki, papa, uncle jo, sorry, bubble, mine, baby

Loves: her binky, caterpillars, mickey, doggies and cows (moos), eating others meals, all food

Dislikes: being told what to do or being told no (tantrums follow), sitting still 

Friday Round Up #2

The week FLEW by yet again!!

I hope each of you had a great week and are ready to relax this weekend! The weather here is lousy! High winds and rain all day today. Praying it will clear so we can get in and out of the car during all our errands and school drop offs, without taking a shower.

We had a busy but very nice week. Everyone is healthy and happy! We have had a few landscaping companies come and take a look at our backyard. Looks like we will be getting it fixed, if the ground ever decides to dry out. I am so excited that we won't have a swamp out back anymore! 

Austin took 1 nap this week but the other days were filled with more awake time! He has to have quiet time (because mommy needs it). He also has been helping with some very age appropriate chores. I can't lie, I have enjoyed the earlier bed times and less fights going to bed! 

McKenna and I also find ourselves with more hours together while Austin is in school. So we have been shopping [because I can handle one in a store better then two]. She had her first dressing room experience and she LOVED it. She kept giving herself hugs in the huge mirror, it was hysterical. I found her this cute Nike Dry Fit on clearance! We also had to shop for shoes for her because her feet are growing like weeds!

Austin had his dentist appointment this week. His teeth are doing well and he was such a big boy! At our kids dentist, they go back for their cleaning without the parents. I am fine with this concept because when I taught swim lessons, the kids ALWAYS did better, if I worked with them without mom and dad hovering. Meanwhile, McKenna and I waited in the waiting room and she played on the climb structure they have. 

So you may know that I am SUPER passionate about gut health. I have become a researcher and have spent hours educating myself. Sometimes, as I learn more, it feels that I have been lied to my entire life. So having said that...look at this difference. The picture on the left was August 2017 and the right was November 2017. 3 month difference and the difference in the inflammation in my face is incredible! 

AUGUST 2017                                            NOVEMBER 2017

It is crazy to me! As someone who hid behind the camera, who wasn't feeling confident, who was tired ALL the time and lived for coffee and nap time, who had a weak immune system, constant brain fog, full body inflammation, and sugar cravings...that I could find healing and still be seeing improvements in my overall health, my energy, and my moods. I am thankful and grateful! 

Morning Routines

How do you spend your mornings? Do you get woken up by little pitter patter running into your room? Maybe by an alarm jolting you awake, much earlier then you'd want? Perhaps you wake up on your own ready to begin the day? Or you drag yourself out of bed knowing what awaits you?

At different stages of my life I have fallen into each of these categories! Not saying that one is right or wrong but I do believe some can be good and bad for us.

Think about it...your morning sets the tone of your day. It dictates how the day begins. Do you get up and have time for something that you enjoy or do you hit the ground running?

I have been reading this book called Hello Mornings. It has changed my perspective and it has made me realize that my mornings may just be the most important part of my day! Just like breakfast is the most important meal of the day because it gets your metabolism going...My morning routine gets my daily "metabolism" going! 

My choice is to wake up at 6 am daily.  Even weekends. My hubby gets up before me usually and makes a pot of coffee (if not, I set the coffee pot timer). I sit down, listening to the hum of the kids monitors, and have my devotional, bible and bible study book. I am working my way through the Psalms and try to read one per day. Next, working through whatever chapter we are reading for Tuesday bible study. I do all this while alternating between my coffee and my water. 

So, why this? For me, my relationship with the Lord is first and foremost in my life. I want to be an example to my kids that starting my day in Gods word, with His truth speaking to me is the BEST way to begin. It also helps me focus on what is true, right and just. I am much slower to impatience, anger and frustration if I can remember a verse or tidbit from my quiet times. 

This may look different to you...maybe you wake and work out, spending time on your health, maybe you pray during your workout or listen to a podcast. Perhaps, you spend time with your spouse. Nothing is right or wrong in this time but what is important is consistency and spending time in something that fills your cup. (Challenge is to not turn on the tv or electronic until you are done with your routine. Our minds are bombarded with news and media all day long, so taking 20 minutes in the morning to wake up without the noise is crucial!)

I am no expert at this. I have only been consistent for about a month and can honestly say it has made a difference. In the beginning it was hard because I love my sleep. Now, I am waking up before 6 and looking forward to my quiet, alone time. After reading, I look at my schedule for the day, check and respond to my emails/messages, may type up a blog post or schedule out my work time for the day. All this is accomplished in the first 30-45 minutes I am awake & before my kids get up. 

Oh, also, I make my bed FIRST! Before I do anythings else! And MOST days, not all, I get dressed before I even come downstairs. These are actions that I am adding into my routine until they become habits. 

You know, I have learned so much recently in regards to the fact that as humans we MAKE time for what we WANT to have time for. We HAVE money for things we WANT to have money for. We prioritize, whether we realize or not. OR we make excuses. Don't be your own excuse! 

Hope this is encouraging to you to make yourself a priority! 

Rainy Weekends

It literally rained ALL weekend here. Rain is so needed and can be nice but it makes everything ugly and dreary. I am longing for the sun to peak out. 

Friday movie night went well, I forgot to take pictures.#worstbloggerever Austin loved the movie and actually watched the entire thing. I believe this means we have entered into a new stage. McKenna on the other hand was into everything. Poor girl woke up Friday morning with swollen eyes and gunk. To the doctors we went and she is now on antibiotics :( She is already feeling SO much better and now I can work to boost her immune system naturally.

Waiting at the doctors. All smiles despite not feeling well. 

Saturday, McKenna and I hung home while Hubs took Austin to visit family and celebrate his Poppops 93 birthday. The man is incredible and gets around so well for his age. I was very sad to miss it but my girl needed some cuddle time and rest time. We stayed in on Saturday evening as...it was pouring. 

She picked this outfit out and decided to help me with the dishes! 

Sunday was an up early morning my Hubs, he went to the gym early and ran. Then we all went to church and Lowes, for me to get some paint! I will do a before and after when I get done :) I also made some delicious homemade baked wings. Loosely using an old recipe, I doctored it a bit and man alive the flavoring was SO good! 

Meals for the week have been planned and shopped for! I am not doing anything new this week..so I usually make a tentative list and make sure I have all ingredients but then decide that morning what we want :)

Monday- Honey, Lime, Siracha Chicken Skewers and grilled veggies over rice

Tuesday- Italian Meatballs, Spinach Pasta and Green Beans

Wednesday- Grilled Chicken Chopped Salad

Thursday- Broccoli and Shrimp

Friday- Skillet Chicken Fajitas  

Saturday- Chili and Cornbread

Sunday- Homemade Burgers and Potato Wedges with side salad

So pulling the binky plug on Austin has come along with him deciding to not nap. I knew the day was coming soon, that doesn't make it any easier. Trying to adjust to our new normal and also adjusting bedtimes accordingly. Why is he growing up so fast?!

Asking for some prayer...I stepped wrong yesterday and tweaked my knee. It isn't swollen but I know my limits and I know I am going to have to rest it for a few days. Would appreciate you adding a speedy recovery to your prayer lists. 

Off to get our Monday started. Hope you have a great week ahead!